We have found 19,293 posts across 4 actor forums:
Need help and inspiration by Malynda Nichols • last post Jul 15th
I'm a 45 y/o female who's children are old enough to be semi-independent (i.e. teenagers) and I have been dreaming of getting back into acting. Here's my dilemma: Evicted from my apartment and living with my brother and his wife, unemployed and suffering from depression/anxiety, and have no steady income other than what I get from the state. I don't have the cash for headshots and looking for local film or theater since the last time I did either was before 2003; trying to work up my resume. I was going to audition for a haunted graveyard but, in truth, it was my depression that kept me home. Any suggestions from the hive mind?
How do you handle negative remarks concerning your choice in pursuing acting? by emberedCthulhu • last post Jul 15th
Ive had plenty of instances where ive been told im going to fail and nothing will come of it. Im very aware acting is a risky bussiness and odds are against you. Personally i brush these comments aside, why should i care if i dont end up as a celibrity? I enjoy what im doing and at the same time working towards it. Just wondering what others have done to get over this.
British TV Legend talk about Actors hard life -Guy Siner by Lee19699 • last post Jul 15th
Self-Tape Auditions - Los Angeles by AaronRodgersForMVP12 • last post Jul 15th
Hey everyone, I'm an actor who recently moved to LA after signing with an agent. My agent wants me to submit self-tape auditions for a couple of projects. But, since I just moved here I don't really know anyone or have the tools for making a quality self-tape audition. Are there people you can hire who will read your lines with you and set up the right lighting/atmosphere in the Los Angeles area? I have an iPhone and a tripod, but I don't want the lack of quality to distract or worsen my performance. If you guys have any ideas or tips I would appreciate it. Could I ask my agent if an assistant could help me and use a room in their office? Or would that be unprofessional?
Acting video: Hollywood actress teaches how to roast a chicken dinner by Camslow • last post Jul 15th
know the name of the actress who teaches acting and how to roast a chicken dinner in the same course? there may be a video out there...
Extras by Alex Scoras • last post Jul 14th
So I'm a local of Manasquan, NJ about an hour from the big city NY... Might anyone here have any know how in NYC Extras work, any tips? Thanks everyone posting advice!
Looking for female voice actors [PAID] by gage-allen • last post Jul 14th
We're looking for female voice actresses. American and English accents are welcome. Submit previous work and rates to: [info@playeronetrailers.com](mailto:info@playeronetrailers.com) Our work: [www.playeronetrailers.com](https://www.playeronetrailers.com)
Did I eff up my Commercial Callback? Any advice, encouragement, or perspective is welcome and appreciated. by Khanduit48 • last post Jul 14th
I just finished a callback for a SAG commercial and I was really excited about it. The spot is super funny and fun and, naturally, I want to book it badly. The first take was good enough. But during my second take, nerves/ excitement overtook me and - while I finished my line and action - I felt like I left my body for a second. My hands got shaky and I completely lost focus. Again, I hit my line and followed through, but I hate walking away from an audition feeling like I didn’t do what I came to do. I play it back in my head to see if I can learn anything from it, but end up just feeling worse. What do others do to work out these post-audition dramas/traumas. I am actively trying to “let it go” and “leave it on the audition room floor”...being able to see a positive might help. How do I find the silver lining? Thanks all!!
Feedback on my actors website! by TheBigDog81 • last post Jul 14th
This is the monologue I'm reading today at my first audition. Wish me luck! Be Critical! Tell me what you think! by DopamineMeme • last post Jul 14th
Can you be pidgeonholed as an ensemble actor? by poliwhirldude • last post Jul 14th
I know that, in film, if you appear too much as an extra, you’ll start to get a reputation of being an “extra actor” and won’t be brought in for speaking parts. Is this the same for theatre? If you get too many ensemble roles- even at huge theatres- does that change the way people see you? Might you have a harder time getting leads, or is any credit good credit for the resume?
There Are No Stupid Questions - Jul 14 by AutoModerator • last post Jul 14th
Please feel free to ask any question at all related to acting, no matter how simple. There will be no judgements on questions posted here. Everyone starts somewhere. So ask away!
How do you practice and more by donnie_marko • last post Jul 13th
Hey friends!! I have a few questions, and I have always gotten such awesome advice and responses here, so I thought I would reach out again. My first question is just about how you practice your craft. I am a visual artist as well as an actor, and when I want to practice my visual art, I know exactly what to do. I get out some paper and media of my choice, I select an exercise or element I feel I need to improve, and I go at it for a few hours. Musicians do this by picking up their instrument and challenging themselves. My problem is that I am not sure how to challenge myself as an actor on my own outside of a class setting. What do you guys do to practice your craft in your spare time outside of class/auditions/rehearsal? My second question is about the industry. I am new out of college and nearly all of my work is from the stage, and unfilmed. I want to get a demo reel together, but I am not sure how or with what. What are your thoughts on getting a demo reel if you don't have any short/student films to include? Is it okay to rehearse some monologues and use those? How necessary is a demo reel? Thanks again friends!
Can you name any examples where actors perfected “bad acting” in a role? by LightningCurry • last post Jul 13th
I’m looking for any shows or movies where a character is portraying someone who has an acting gig and is really bad. So I would imagine they would be oscillating between good acting (their real life) and bad acting (their gig). I was thinking Disaster Artist would have this but it actually didn’t. The only thing they had was a scene for scene mimic at the end, and a meh “bad” performance by Zach Efron. I’m curious how much I can learn about bad acting by someone who can come full circle and be so deliberately bad. It seems extremely hard to do. I would love to see a sizable example if anyone knows of one. Thanks!
Time to revisit the idea of conservatory programs? by db_333 • last post Jul 13th
So I'm in my early 20s and have been going at this acting thing for a little while now. I've always been repped and am currently very happy with who I have, although I need more auditions. The biggest problem, as I'm sure many of you can relate, is just that. Auditions. Opportunities. Forget fighting for the role, fighting for the chance to fight against 100 others is the battle. I was talking to a friend today currently in a top acting conservatory. He's talking about the offers and contracts he's getting for leads in feature films (not huge blockbusters, but features nonetheless), roles in network shows, opportunities to be a part of writers rooms on big Emmy winning shows... and we're the same age. And, of course, he tells me that these opportunities have come simply from being a part of this big conservatory. The alumni network and casting people at the school are so good that they're getting him around all the problems I currently see myself having with no foreseeable solution other than a shit ton of work and a huge amount of luck. I feel like, when you have actors graduating from programs like that with those opportunities right there, the cards are wildly stacked against people like me who are going it alone. Of course it's possible to make it that way, but the difference in the opportunities my friend is getting are even more worlds apart than I had ever imagined. It's made me realise that if I want my absolute best shot at really making it, I need to be in one of those programs. I'll still try if not, but it's like going it alone vs. getting into one of the programs is like buying a lottery ticket vs. entering a local raffle, but with the same prize. Am I overreacting? Is there more I could be doing to further my chances without a huge conservatory? Because I'm trying to be more selective by doing work that pays at least a small amount, and that will further and advance me and my career in at least a small way, but of course with selectivity comes less opportunity... so I've not been working much lately. Thinking of starting to make my own work... but anyway, is it worth going through that crazy expensive and time consuming application process again? Or am I underestimating my chances without ready made contacts or a big school behind me?
No responses and rejections from agents? by actingstarterpack • last post Jul 13th
Long time lurker, now time to for me participate. Do you guys know what to do when you get no responses from agents? I have good headshots and also a demo reel made from self-tapes. The self tapes that I had were at the professional quality. It's basically what you would see as an audition from a working actor. I am feelimg really upset because I don't know what to do. A few months back I messages the agents directly using their emails I found imdbpro. I didn't get anything. Now I submitted in their general submissions because I felt that maybe I was coming off as too aggressive by emailing their at their addresses. I made a list of agents who repped actors most like me, and sent them a well thought out email.... after getting no resomses or rejections, I emailed every agent in my city since there is no point in being picky anymore. I addressed the emails directly to the agents name. I am not sure what to do. I have two questions. Is it better to email the agents directly or is it better to follow instructions and send directly to their general submissons? Also, at this point, I don't know what is the issue. I feel there is the option of hiring a production company to shoot scenes, but honest ly.... I feel my self tapes are better only because the focus is on me purely. I think its a stronger show case of my acting abilities. I also know agents accept actors with class footage and self tapes as mentioned on their websites.
How to look more engaging on camera by BluePlate55 • last post Jul 13th
First off, I'm not an actor, but I'm hoping some of you may have advice for me. I'm a teacher who got the chance to film a TV pilot about my work for a major cable network (whoo!), but the show wasn't picked up (boo!). I got to see the pilot though, and it was crazy because I felt like I was pretty animated (verging on hammy at times) while we were filming (I was the host), but on the screen, I looked almost bored, not like like a TV personality at all but more like a regular, background person. (This was not the feedback I got from the producers--they just kept saying I was doing great--but something I noticed myself when watching). It is a common thing that facial expressions and attitudes translate more subtly on screen? In the future, how can I seem more like I belong on TV while still remaining myself in my professional capacity (ie, not acting like a parody of myself)? All tips and expertise very much appreciated! Sorry if this is the wrong sub for this question! The TV world isn't a place I'm used to.
Theatrical superstitions by epicninja5432 • last post Jul 13th
Hi all, So I’m performing today (Friday 13th: infamous for its bad luck connotations) and it got me wondering, **how many of you guys (and gals) are superstitious when it comes to performing?** **Is there any things you do before (or during) a performance that’s quite routine for good luck?** I was waiting to go on stage the other day when another member of the ensemble asked me to wolf whistle for him because he said his mouth was too dry with nervousness, so I practised whistling backstage and remembered that in another performance a friend told me to never whistle back stage (origins relate back to when sailors did the rigging and stuff and they whistled to signal scene changes, so actors whistles would confuse them and could result in technical issues and injury) Obviously there’s the big ones: The Scottish Play, and saying ‘break a leg’ It’s quite funny the way actors are superstitious but a bit fascinating at the same time
Finding Monologues and Resume questions by ShadyNero • last post Jul 13th
Hello all, so I just finished my 2 Years at the William Esper studio in NYC and now it’s time for me to dive into this mad world of acting. I’m wondering how most of you found your monologues? I also don’t have a reel and I’m on backstage and I see a lot of the good work is requiring some sort of reel which is fine but I don’t have one so my plan is to record a monologue at one of my friends with professional equipment to have something for the video section. I feel like I fit into a dark and brooding type of role, or even a “The Pillowman” style of dark. Is an overused monologue an actual problem or should I not think to hard about that and do whatever I find enjoyable. Resume: I also don’t have a big or meaty resume I basically have class and a few community theater plays from my hometown and obviously my physical. I thought adding a small personal section would be good at the bottom just talking about how I like to work and what I can provide for them. But I’ve heard mixed reviews on this. I know it’s a bit unconventional but I feel like it would make me standout a bit more since I don’t have a lot on there. But let me know if that is just a big no no And should be saved for the cover letter. Any advice you have is appreciated. Right now I’m only on backstage and I want to branch into actors access but I feel so limited without any video of me. Anyways thanks for reading my anxiety ridden post, I wish you all the best in your endeavors!